Columbia, SC vs Provo, UT
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Columbia
73.8
#670 nationally
Provo
73.8
#678 nationally
Provo leads in walk score (44 vs 35). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 20.8 min). Provo leads in median household income ($62,891 vs $54,095).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Provo, UT |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 73.8 (#678) |
| Population | 142,416 | 117,335 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $485,084 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $62,891 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 20.8 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+39.8 |
C
73.8 Score
Columbia, SC
Mid-size South Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$230,662
Population
142,416
Crime
High
Walk Score
35
Southeast
View Columbia, SC →
C
73.8 Score
Provo, UT
BYU energy meets startup culture
Median Home
$485,084
Population
117,335
Crime
Very Low
Schools
B+
West
View Provo, UT →